Apparatus for exhibiting boots or shoes.



No. 658,547. f Patentad Sept. 25,A 190B.

M. A. KENNEDY.

APPARATUS FOR EXHIBITING BOOTS OB SHOES.

(Applicntion led. Jan. 20, 1900.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

onms vzzns co. wom-uma.. wAsnmaTon. n. c.

Patented Sept. 25, |900.

No. 658,547. M. A. KENNEDY.

APPARATUS FOR EXHIBITING BOOTS 0R SHDES.

(Application filed Jan. 20, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Shui 2 (No Nudel.)

m: Nonms Pneus co, ruoau'mo.. msumcmn, v. c.

No. 658,547. Patentedsept. 25, |900.

M. A. KENNEDY.

APPARATUS FOR EXHIBITING BUTS 0R SHOES.

(Application led Jan. 20, 1900.) (N u M o d e l 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

zwi/663%. y O w ZW ...L7

1H: mums Pinzas no, Novum-n10.4 msmncmu. n. c.

MICHAEL A. KENNEDY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR EXHIBIT'ING Boo'i's 0R sHoEs.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 658,547, datedSeptember 25, 1900. Appia-.ation filed January 20,1900. seria No. 2,094.(No man.)

lupon the sole and heel portion of a boot or shoe, and more particularlyto illustrate the action oi' a ventilated boot or shoe comprising in itsconstruction a collapsible center or intermediate sole by means of whichventilation in the interior of the boot or shoe is effeeted,snch astructure being shown in United States Patents, Reissue No. 11,694,dated September 20, 1898, and No. 616,112, dated December 20, 1898.

of the user is brought to bear as the shoe is placed upon the ground orsurface Walked upon and as the sole collapses air is forced therefrom uparound the foot and out of the top of the shoe, and when the foot islifted and pressure removed from the collapsed center sole it regainsits normal position and external air is drawn in through a suitableinlet. As this operation is peculiar and novel, it can only bethoroughly demonstrated by imparting to such a boot or shoe movementssimilar to those of the human foot in walking, the boot or shoe beingcut away at appropriate parts in order that its interior and theoperation of the collapsible or ventilating sole may be seen, and oneform of apparatus for effecting such de ni onst ration is hereinillustrated and described.

While I have herein shown one practical embodiment of my invention,however I am not restricted thereto, as I have not attempted to show ordescribe the various modifications or changes which might be madewithout departing from the spirit and. scope of my invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of apparatus embodying vmyinvention, the casing inclosing the mechanism being shown in In the useof a center sole., such as embodied in said patents the weight section,the motor being omitted, and the boot or shoe to be exhibited is shownas firmly resting upon a tread-rest. Fig. 2 is asimilar View showing'the boot or shoe as about to begin its forward swing, the front of thecasing being partly broken out. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view ofA two shoesin the positions assumed by the shoe in Figs. 1 and 2 to mor clearlyillustrate the action of the apparatus. Fig. 4. is a diametral sectionalview of a portion of the means for effecting the movement of thetread-rest. Fig. 5 is a section on the line :1c 00, Fig. 4, looking tothe right, and showing the ring-controlling cam detached. Fig. 6 is aright-hand side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with thecasing, tread-rest, and some of the adjacent parts in section, the partsat the right of the line 00' 00', Fig. 1, being omitted for the sake ofclearness. Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional y'view of the headof the'rising and falling carrier and the connections mounted thereonfor imparting a forward and back swinging movement to the boot or shoeto be exhibited; and Fig. S is an enlarged sectional detail onA the linerc2 002, Fig. 1, of a portion of the means for moving the tread-rest.

In the act of walking the foot is placed upon the supporting-surface,the body moves forward,the foot islifted, swung forward in advance ofthe body, and then lowered again to thesupporting-surface; but in mypresent invention the tread-rest, which corresponds to the ground orfloor, is moved relatively to the means which support the shoe, saidmeans, corresponding to the human body, being of course fixed in myapparatus.

I prefer to inclose the actuating mechanism herein shown, as byv aeasing A, Whichis provided With a longitudinally-slotted top A' andatransverse shelf A2 in its lower portion, the latter having secured toit an upright standard B, provided at its upper end with a verticalbearingb and secured to a cross-girt A5 of the casing. A sleeve-likebearing bprojects from the front of the standard and supports ashaft (l,having fast upon it a large worm-gear C' in mesh with a worm c, Fig. 6,fast `on a shaft cx, mounted in a vlateral bearing b2 on the standard B,said shaft also having fast upon it a pulley c', Fig. 1, to receive aband or belt c2 from any suitable source of power (not shown) by whichthe worm and the Worm-gear C are rotated.

As it is sometimes desirable to operate the apparatus by hand, I haveprovided a crankshaft c3, (shown only in Fig. 1,) its end projectingthrough a hole CLX in thecasing to receive a crank or other suitabledevice to rotate it, said shaft c3 having fast thereon a gear c4in meshwith a pinion c5, normally loose on the worm-shaft. When the latter isto be rotated by hand, the pinion c5 is clamped on the shaft cX by anysuitable clamping-n ut c6. The crank-shaft is shown in Fig. 1 as mountedin a bearing b3 on the standard. A rising and falling carrier (hereinshown as-a tube D) is mounted to rise and fall in the bearing b, thelower end of the carrier having coupled thereto, as at D40, the openhead D of a depending extension D2, the latter being shown as a flatplate slotted at cl2 to embrace the bearing b, a collar 2 on the latterserving to guide the extension, a stout spring S being attached at itsupper end to the extension and fixedly secured at its lower end by alink SX to the casing A. A carrier-controlling cam DX is secured to theshaft C in front of the extension D2, the cam-hub acting as a guide infront of the latter, a roller or other stud CZX on the extensiontraveling on the edge of the cam and drawn toward the latter by thespring S. The shape of this cam is shown in Figs. l and 2, and in theformer the carrier is in its lowest position, while in Fig. 2 it isshown fully elevated, the carrier being raised and lowered at eachcomplete revolution of the cam. A wrist-pin 4t on the cam carries aswivel-block d', which enters and slides in a,

longitudinal slot Z3 in an arm d4, secured to a short shaft d5, mountedin a bearing 5 on the head D', a bevel-pinion d6 being secured to saidshaft within the head and meshing with a similar pinion (17, fast on ashaft D5, extended up through the carrier and having a step-bearing 6 inthe head. (See dotted lines, Fig. 6.) The head D and the parts mountedthereon partake of the rising and falling movement of the carrier D, theshaft D5 moving V longitudinally with the latter; but the rotation ofthe cam DX operates through the wristpin connection to also rock the armd4 and shaft d5, the partial rotation of the pinion d6 in turn actingthrough the pinion cli to rotate the shaft 'D5 first in one and then inthe other direction.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the carrier, at its upper end, has a bushing 7,which forms a bearing for the shaft D5, the latter above said bearinghaving fast upon it a bevel segmentgear d8, which meshes with a similarsegmentgear dg, fast on the end of a shaft D9, mounted in a bearing d10on a backet D8, secured to the carrier, the shafts D5 D9 beingsubstantially at right angles to each other. A hood 10, carried by thebracket, protects the gears, and the shaft D9 is inclosed, as hereinshown, by a tubular casing 12, and it will be manifest that rotativemovement of the upright shaft D5 will be transmitted to the overhangingshaft D9, which projects over the top of the case A. The over-hangingshaft D is attached to the upper end F of a form shown as leg-shaped,its lower end F being shaped like a foot and made, preferably, of rubberto secure the requisite flexibility and to conform as much as possibleto the movement of the human foot in the act of walking, the shoe orboot to be exhibited being mounted on the form, a shoe M being hereinillustrated.

When the shoe descends, as shown in Fig. 1, a firm rest must be`provided for the sole and heel thereof, yetthis rest must be capable ofmovement with the shoe when itis swung backward, and for this purpose Ihave herein shown the tread-rest as a carriage H, longitudinally groovedto engage guides hX on bars HX, secured to the casing top A at the frontand back of the slot 16 therein, the carriage preferably having supporting-wheels h, which travel on a track h', carried by a transversepartition A of the casing, the carriage moving very easily in thedirection of the swinging movement of the shoe. Now when the cam DX isin the position shown in Fig. 1 the spring S draws the carrierD down.

until the shoe rests upon the tread-rest H, the form F F then being inmid-position, and thereafter as the shaft C is rotated in the directionof the arrow 50 the cam will slowly elevate the carrier, while at'thesame time the wrist-pin 4 and cooperating portions, hereinbeforedescribed, will effect the rotation of the shaft D, so that the shoewill be swung back. In passing from the full-line position, Fig. 1, todotted-line position the heel will be Iirst raised from the tread-rest,but the sole will continue in engagement therewith, and the tread-restor carriage I'I backward swing begins the descent of the carrier willbring first the heel and then the sole of the shoe into engagement withthe tread-rest, which must have been brought into the proper place.

Any suitable means may be employed to position the tread-rest, andherein I have shown one form of means for positively reciprocating saidtread-rest, so that it will be moved in unison with the shoe whenengaged by the tread portion of the latter and positively moved in theopposite direction When the shoe is lifted so that the tread-rest willbe in position to be engaged by the shoe when it is lowered and partlymoved back from the dotted-line position illustrated in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 4, the worm-gear C has suitably secured to it theflange k of a ringlike box-cam K, the periphery of which has a highportion 7.a and a low portion k2, Figs. 1 and 5, substantiallysemicircular each, the high portion being adapted to engage alternatelytwo like drums N, each mounted to rotate on a pin WX in a yoke NX, Fig.8, fulcrumed at n on a lateral arm Bm of the standard B, (see Fig. 1,)the yoke having a depending leg A N', which is held in adjusted positionby oppositely-acting set-screws 60 62, mounted in a bracket B6,securedto the casing. Each drum N has, as herein shown, one end of a web orflexible belt N2 passed partly around its periphery and secured theretoat the extremity in any suitable manner, the yoke being adjusted so thatwhen the high part Zt of the cam K is opposite a drum it willfrictionally engage the web thereon and rotate the drum, the right-handdrum in Fig. l being shown in, operative engagement with the cam. Theweb or belt N2 is shown as passed over the top of the tread-rest H,andit is secured thereto so that the aforesaid rotation of the righthanddrum will move the tread-rest in the direction of movement of the shoeM. Guiderolls 07.5 are mounted at the ends of the guides hX to supportthe belt, the latter passing down through the slot 16 in the top plate Aand through slots 18 in the shelf A5.

The timing of the cam K and the drums is such that when the shoe is inengagement with the tread-rest and moving backward the said tread-restwill be moved in unison therewith.

In order to hold the belt N2 taut vwhile unwinding from the free drum,each of the drums is provided with a spring S5, one end of which issecured to one of the arms of the yoke NX and the other end to the drum,the latter being made hollow, as shown in Fig. 8, and open at its rearside, the spring being coiled about an enlarged portion of the spindlenx. The spring is so coiled that when the drum is actuated by the pullof the belt the spring will be unwound, the tension thereof serving tokeepthe belt taut,and consequently when the drum, with the unwoundspring, is oppositely rotated by the cam K the spring will be wound upagain.

Referring to Fig. 1, the part 702 of the cam K will leave the right-handdrum when the shoe is lifted into full-line position, Fig. 2, by thecarrier, and thereafter the left-handdrum will be rotated positively tomove the treadrest H to the left into position to be engaged bythe shoeon its descent, as has been described.

The brackets B6 are shown in Fig. 1 as connected by a crossed girt B9,strengthening the casing.

The spring S depresses the shoe in a yielding manner upon the tread-restand gives when necessary as the form F' is flexed or bent by the walkingmovement imparted thereto.

Referring to Fig. 3, the shoe M is supposed to be resting upon asupporting-surface, and it will be noticed that the ball of the foot andthe heel are the main points of support and pressure and the toe to alesser degree, so that the collapsible sole m is most completelycollapsed beneath the heel and ball of the foot, which conditionpertains when the shoe is in full-line position, Fig. 1.

The shoe M in Fig. 3 shows the foot as lifted entirely from the treadsupport or surface, so that the collapsible sole has resumed its normalcondition, as will be the case when the shoe in the apparatus hereindescribed is in both full and dotted line positions, Fig. 2.A

Bri'ey, the collapsible sole m comprises a thin elastic web orintegument m', Fig. 3, having projections m2 on its upper and lowerfaces of much less elasticity,the projections on one face being locatedopposite the spaces between the projections on the other face, as in thepatents hereinbefore referred to, and operating as therein set forth, asuitable valve m8 in the heel permitting the entrance of air when thefoot is lifted. A vertical guide-rib B22 is made on the standard B to beengaged by a suitable ear D22 on the rear side of the open head D (seeFig. 6) to prevent the latter from having any rotative movement duringthe operation of the apparatus.

In practice I prefer to interpose a spring or other yielding bufferbetween the end of the set-screw 60 and the depending leg N of the yoketo provide for any inequality which might exist in the faceof the cam K,and herein I have shown the inner end of each screw as provided with abuffer 77, of rubber, which bears against the leg N'.

It will be manifest that changes and modifications may be made invarious particulars in respect to the apparatus herein shown anddescribed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention,and so far as I am aware it is broadly novel to simulate the movement ofthe human foot in the act of walking for the purpose of exhibiting ordemonstrating the effect thereof upon a boot or shoe.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus of the class described, means to support the boot orshoe to be eX- hibited and to impart movement thereto simulatin g theact of walking, and a tread-rest.

to be intermittingly engaged by the tread portion of the boot or shoeand adapted to move in unison therewith when so engaged.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, means to support the boot orshoe to be eX- hibited and to impart movement thereto simulating the actof walking, a tread-rest to be intermittingly engaged by the treadportion of the boot or -shoe and adapted to move in lOO IIO

IZO

` ing movement, and means to thereafter return the tread-rest intoposition to again be engaged by the boot or shoe upon its next descent.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, means to support the boot orshoe-to be eX- `hibited and to raise, lower, and swing the same asin theact of walking, a tread-rest to be engaged by the tread portion of theboot or shoe upon its descent and to move in unison therewith during aportion of its backward swing, and means operative after the rise of theboot or shoe to return the treadrest into position to be engaged by theboot or shoe upon its next descent.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, arising and fallingcarrier-,means operatively connected therewith to support the boot orshoe to be exhibited and to swing the same forward and back, and atread-rest to be intermittingly engaged by the tread portion of the bootor shoe as the carrier descends and adapted to move therewith when it isswung back, the rising of the carrier disengaging the boot or shoe fromthe tread-rest and permitting the former to be swung forward.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a yieldingly-controlledrising and falling carrier to support the boot or shoe to be exhibited,means to intermittingly swing the latter forward and back, a tread-restto be engaged by the tread portion of the boot or shoe when the carrierdescends, and to move therewith during the backward swing, and means tomove the tread-rest in the opposite direction after the carrier hasrisen to disengage the boot or shoe therefrom.

' 7. In an apparatus of the class described, means to support the bootor shoe to be exhibited and to impart movement thereto simulating theact of walking, a tread-rest to be intermittingly engaged by the treadportion of the boot or shoe upon its descent, and means to move thetread-rest in unison with the backward-swinging boot or shoe when soengaged, and Jto thereafter move the treadrest to its initial position.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a flexible form for the bootor shoe, a rising and falling carrier, means movable therewith andconnected with the form, to swing it back and forth, means to raise thecarrier when the form is at the end of its backward swing and to lowerit when the forward swing has been effected, and a tread-rest to beengaged by the tread portion of the boot or shoe when the form islowered and to move in unison therewith when it is swung backward.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, a flexible form for the bootor shoe, a rising and falling carrier, means movable therewith andconnected with the form, to swing it back and forth, means to raise thecarrier when the form is at the end of its backward swing and to lowerit when the forward swing has been effected, a tread-rest to support theshoe when the carrier descends, and means to reciprocate the tread-restin the direction of movement of the form when swung relatively to thecarrier.

l0. In an apparatus of the class described, an upright carrier, means toreciprocate it vertically, a form for the boot or shoe to be exhibited,an over-hanging shaft mounted on the carrier and to which the form isattached, means mounted on the carrier to oscillate said shaft tothereby swing the form relatively to the carrier, and a movabletread-'rest to support the shoe when the carrier descends.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertically movable,tubular carrier, an overhangng shaft mounted on the upper end of thecarrier, a form 4attached to the said shaft, an upright shaft Within thecarrier and geared to the overhanging shaft, and means partly supportedby the carrier to rotate the upright shaft first in one and then in theother direction, said means including a cam to control the verticalmovementof the carrier.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertically-movablecarrier, a depressingspring therefor, a cam to lift the carrier and togovern its descent, a form, means movable with the carrier to supportthe form and to swing it in opposite directions relatively to saidcarrier, and an eccentric connection between the cam and said means andactuated by the cam to operate the said means.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, a main shaft, a cam thereon,a verticallymovable carrier controlled by the cam, an overhanging shaftmounted on the carrier, a form attached to the shaft, and means actuatedby said cam to rock the shaft in opposite directions and thereby swingthe form attached thereto.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertically-movablecarrier, two shafts movable therewith and geared together, a formattached to one shaft, a bevel-pinion on the other, ameshing pinionsupported by the carrier, a swinging arm to rock the latter pinion, acam to control the vertical movement of the carrier, and a wrist-pin onsaid cam in sliding engagement with and to swing said arm as the camrotates. i

15. In an apparatus of the class described, means to support the boot orshoe to be exhibited and to impart movement thereto simulating the actof Walking, a tread-rest reciprocable below the path of the boot or IOOTIO

shoe, guides for the tread-rest, and means to reciprocate the tread-restduring a portion of the movement of the boot or shoe.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, a reciprocable tread-rest,guides therefor,two oppositelyrotatable drums, a flexible connectionbetween eachv drum and the treadrest, and means to rotate first one andthen the other drum, to effect the reciprocation of the tread-rest.

17. In an apparatus of the class described, a reciprocable tread-rest,two oppositely-rotatable drums, a spring to resist the rotation of eachdrum in one direction, connections between the tread-rest and the drums,and means to rotate first one drum and then the other in the directionof its spring, to eect reciprocation of the tread-rest.

MICHAEL A. KENNEDY.

Witnesses:

JOHN C. EDWARDS, AUGUSTA E. DEAN.

